Stroke, a serious life-threatening medical condition occurs when there is no blood supply to a part of your brain whereas; paralysis is when your body loses its ability to move, because of a stroke.
What are the warning signals of a Stroke?
Remember FAST when you want to help someone with a stroke, or you have already suffered from one, this would help you in the future:
F = Face: One area of the face droops
A = Arms: One arm begins to drop
S = Speech: Slurred speech or it sounds different
T = Time: When a stroke occurs to take the person to a doctor immediately
A stroke is an emergency that requires the immediate attention of a doctor. Some treatments might work best if given in a few hours after stroke.
How can I recover from paralysis after a stroke?
Remember, Repetition will help to recover from stroke paralysis.
If you want to recover quickly from paralysis, you need to be consistent with the following:
- Learn exercises from your physiotherapist that use the 'good' side to help paralyzed muscles. It will rewire your brain.
- You should aim to repeat these exercises often
Move your paralyzed arm or leg with a full range of motion, using external support for it is also acceptable.
Exercise best for paralysis treatment
You can go for passive exercise. This exercise does wonders for those who have paralysis. You can move your limbs, usually with the help of a physiotherapist or someone else, with less effort from your side. Passive exercises use the 'good' side to assist your paralyzed muscles.
- Do these exercises several times a day. Keep repeating.
- Your physiotherapist will plan out a routine for you, which will suit your condition.
Treatment for paralysis
Treatment for paralysis is very effective when it is a combination of therapy, exercises and aids:
- Physiotherapy uses therapy and techniques to stimulate and encourage the affected nerves and muscles into moving.
- Occupational therapy will focus on helping you resume and perform activities of daily living.
According to the condition of your paralysis, your physiotherapist might advise you to use some support equipment like:
- Mobility aids like a wheelchair
- Supportive devices like brace, cane and walkers
- Adaptive equipment like grips, special eating utensils, bath and washroom equipment.
Treatment and recovery after stroke
Treatment depends on the type of stroke you had, including which area of your brain was affected and the cause of the stroke.
Physiotherapy is known to play a significant role in the recovery of a patient starting right in the hospital. A good rehab program based on systematic physiotherapy can help set the starting goals for you as well.
- You will start with simple goals, like picking up an object
- After some time, you can pursue long-term goals, such as standing or walking
Start your stroke rehabilitation therapy as soon as possible. You may have to take therapy for a few months to over a year. Early recovery can improve functions and result in remarkable outcomes.
However, there is a chance that you need a long time of rehabilitation to perform simple activities of daily life. It depends on your condition and how long after the incidence you are going for rehabilitation.
Remember, you can only see the complete return of function in the first few months after the stroke incidence, so we advise you to go for rehabilitation soon- Sooner is better.
Do's and dont's for paralytic patients
Some things you should avoid after a stroke:
- Stop smoking
- Avoid high cholesterol food
- Don't miss your exercises and medication
- Maintain blood pressure. It should not go above 130/90
- Avoid lying in a single position for a long time; it can lead to pressure sores
Here are a few tips that you will find beneficial:
- Eat healthily
- Go for general flexibility exercises and repeat
- You should follow proper lifting and positioning techniques, as advised by your physiotherapist
- Keep changing your position every 2 hours, try turning side or folding and straightening legs
Physiotherapy encourages people to relearn lost abilities and regain independence; which reduces the risk of further strokes. It also improves your recovery of function and mobility after stroke; we recommend a minimum of 45 minutes of physiotherapy for five days a week.
After 24 hours of a stroke incidence, physiotherapists start rehabilitation which focuses on getting out of bed to standing and walking. Repeating this training helps you regain moving ability and relearn everyday activities.
You should continue your rehabilitation as long as you are not showing any measurable benefit from the treatment.
